The Rainbow Bridge

On New Year’s 2015, we met Spud when we picked him from his foster mom, Linda Manton. He was terrified, a bit sickly but beautiful. It took a couple of months to gain his trust, but once we did, he was the sweetest most loving guy anyone could ask for. He was quirky, funny and so, so lovable. But he was still terrified of anyone who wasn’t me or my husband. We never forced anything on him – he called the shots.

His health improved proved as we completed de-worming and he was treated for ehrlichiosis. He started gaining weight and filled out nicely. But still hid from people who came to visit. He loved us – no doubt about that. We loved him – no doubt there either.

COVID struck in 2020 and we were locked in our homes so trying to socialize him was out of the question. But he was happy.

In 2022, we moved to Florida. This was a very sociable community and we always had people coming in and out. Well, after awhile, he went from running into the bedroom when we had company, to cautiously coming out nad people watching. Pretty soon, he was going up to our friends looking for affection – which he was given in droves. These years were probably the best in his life.

One of Arnie’s health issues was his predisposition to grow fatty tumors – he had a dozen of them and quite a few had to be removed. He handled his surgeries like a pro. However this year he had two very large growths that the doctor said couldn’t be removed because of his age and health. He was somewhere betweem 13 and 15 and was suffering from some enlarged organs – we agreed and did everything we could to keep him comfortable. Last week, he took a turn and lost control of his legs and his bowels. We knew it was time.

On June 20, Lap of Love came to our home. Arnie was held by us, on his couch in his home and crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge. I wish I could tell you how heartbroken we are – he was the best part of our lives. The loss is overwhelming but we take comfort in knowing we gave him the best possible life anyone could. We will love him forever. And we will be forever grateful to Tri State Rescue for allowing us to love our best friend.

We adopted our beloved Albert from Tri-State Basset in 2015. He was a basset beagle mix and a very shy dog at first. Over time he came to trust us, and became a most loving and lovable dog. Even though he had a residual anxiety throughout his life, he was not aggressive. He was just a really sweet guy. We loved him so much and were devastated when he developed cancer. We had to let our boy go two weeks ago, and the void in our lives is enormous. We will always love you and miss you, Albert. Perhaps, in some way, someday, we will see you again.

We rescued Rocco in October 2017. We just purchased our first home with a huge fenced in yard. I grew up with basset hounds and knew when i owned my own home i wanted to get one. We picked rocco up in new jersey (we live outside of philly). He had just turned 1 in july and he was still very much a puppy. We bought him everything you can imagine that was basset hound friendly. The first night i slept on the floor with him he would pace the whole night. He did this for a few nights until he became more comfortable with us. Eventually he slept in his big cozy bed each night for 8 years. He was already house trained and he was the biggest snuggler. Rocco and myself would snuggle for hours on the couch. We had our son in July 2022 and when we brought him home Rocco would always lay right next to him. Rocco was 8 years old when he passed January 2025. He died suddenly from a tumor we had no idea about and stopped breathing on his own. We will miss him terribly and our house right now is missing a huge piece.

Celia came from Tri State Bassets and was originally name Carol- not a good fit at all. She was my beloved Celia or C as everyone called her. She was my rock, my sounding board and my best friend. When Covid hit it was just the two of us for what seemed forever- I never did go back to work and spent the next few years enjoying my time with her. She was considered the neighborhood busybody- not everyone knew me but they all knew Celia and what she was up to. The night before I had to put her down all my neighbors came to say going to the sweet girl they had come to know and love.
It’s been one and a half years now since she’s been gone and I miss her every minute of every day – I only hope she and Ollie and Max and Penny, Brute, Oscar and Reggie are all keeping her company.
Susan H Halvorsen

Barnaby came to us on September 24, 2017 from Tri State as Hudson, a shy, skittish little boy. He quickly become part of the pack, and grew as attached to us as we became of him. Of the many bassets that were adopted from Tri State, he holds a special place in my heart. He was a beautiful boy in many ways, “both physically and in his demeanor,” as his pet sitter has remarked and he will be remembered always by all whose hearts he touched.

He was a gentle sole, yet strong. He endured much in his life, more than any basset should, from bloat, glaucoma, colon torsion, megaesophagus and blindness in his final year, but he never gave up: he adjusted and adapted and continued to show us his love, and we all are grateful for that. His eye doctor called him the Miracle Dog. Unfortunately, for us both this past Thanksgiving morning there was one final miracle he couldn’t pull off. On November 28 he passed at 16 years and 3 months. We all will miss terribly his sweet presence in our home. We all love you, Barnaby. Rest well.

Our sweet Buddy boy crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday. He blessed us with nine years of unwavering love. When he joined our family, we had a four year old and a one year old. Those two kids grew up with him, and he was delighted to meet our third child four years ago! He was like one of the kids – full of curiosity, excitement, and love. We miss him terribly, but we are so thankful to TSBHR for giving us the beautiful gift of his companionship and we will cherish the memories of our time with him forever. 6/1/2015 – 10/22/24.

Elvis was our 2nd TSBHR adoption. He came to us early in 2017 and helped fill the void left when we lost Penny, our 1st adoption from TSBHR. Elvis was completely different from Penny, very laid back and never met a person or dog that he didn’t instantly like. He was a mommy’s boy from the start and would use his deep, soulful eyes to get what he wanted from momma. He had a huge, magnificent set of ears that he used to collect every drop of dew, every leaf and every speck of dirt and drag it into the house. He was perfect but what basset isn’t? When we added other bassets to our home, Elvis happily greeted and accepted them, in fact he was fine with the others taking charge, alpha dog he wasn’t. He loved attending TSBHR events and meeting his numerous cousins and distance family members. Cancer took Elvis much too early from us but we know he is now free to enjoy life over the Rainbow Bridge. Love you Bubba.
Elvis 9/10/2015 to 9/30/2024

We lost our amazing, funny, jerky basset boy yesterday. He was 11 and had diabetes, was blind, and congestive heart failure BUT you wouldn’t know it all the time. He still loved to try and wrestle and play with his “hoomans” and go on walks when he was up for it. He was a trooper with all the medicines he had to take everyday. To say we are devastated doesn’t really describe how it really feels. Our neighborhood is not the same and all his doggy friends have lost their friend. Duds we know your bassett brother Otis and bassett sister Sadie were waiting for you and we hope you guys are living it up!! We will see all of you again someday. Love you!!!!!!

With Sadness our beloved Zoey passed away on July 9, 2024. Zoey moved to Pennsylvania from Arkansas in 2015. She traveled with Hearts Transport with her furry friends. She was always friendly and loved by everyone on her walks in our neighborhood. She loved having breakfast foods with us on weekends.

We are thankful for our son who cared for her while working from home and our dog walker Janet who loved her as well. We miss her so much.

Thank you for all you do with the Bassett Hounds

Mark, Christine, Mark jr. Stewart

When I adopted Norma, a comment I received frequently was, “No way will you be able to resist calling her Norma Jean!” Resist, I didn’t. In fact, Norma became Norma Jean, Norma Jean Bean, Norma Jean Bean McQueen, Norma J. Bean, NJB, Norma Jean Junglecat Bean, Miss Norma J. Bean, Normie. Norma, however, presumably deaf for the entirety of our three years together, preferred to be acknowledged with a clap of the hands, a round of applause to honor how fabulous she was. Norma was the star, and perhaps a bit of a diva as well. When she wanted our attent

ion, we would receive “the business,” a sassy, half-bark, stomp-on-the-ground-with-her-short-Basset-legs approach to reminding us that Norma always got what Norma wanted.

In the mere 1,017 days we had together, it was an honor to provide Norma with everything she desired. She had the combined personality of a Basset and her presumed mix, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever; what a combination that was. She loved long walks (“boot camps”) in the countryside. Norma loved all types of treats, but she would put on a show for a Greenie’s bone. Norma also loved her morning trips to her private water bowl, pumpkin night, turn down service, time with her couch buddy, keeping watch over the staircase railing, and copious pets from my mother, another of her best friends.

Norma’s life for the last three years was magnificent, and it had a special fullness thanks to her canine companion, Beethoven. The two pups were sniffing partners, confidants, co-schemers, protectors of each other, and absolute best friends. Their affection for each other was a lovely and powerful force. From sleeping butt-to-butt on the couch, licking each other, and demonstrating an unbreakable solidarity, it became clear that perhaps the only connection that could rival the one between human and dog is the one between two pups. Beethoven will miss Norma forever.

Throughout our days together, Norma was my shadow, and she never once failed to remind me that the best and most meaningful time in my life was Norma time. At the end of our days together, I couldn’t help but lament, “There just wasn’t enough time.”

Somewhere at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge, Norma has met Bonnie and Fred, and instead of lamenting, I bet they are exuding gratitude. While the void will persist, I will honor Norma by doing the same. I am grateful, eternally, for the time when Norma was mine on earth, and the memories of her spunk, joy, and love will carry me forward until we meet again. I love you, Norma Jean.